Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Orange County with spicy margaritas, taco platters, festive dancing and more.
Edited by Whitney Lauren Han.
Taco Rosa
May 1-5. Leading up to Cinco de Mayo, party with Taco Rosa daily. On the first day, sip on $2 Tecates all day, and on May 2, enjoy $5 house margaritas and $1 stuffed jalapeños. On May 3, sip on happy hour beverages and $6.50 margaritas/house wine. On May 4-5, expect live entertainment by Mariachis, tequila and mezcal specials every hour after 3 p.m., contests, trivia questions with prizes and a balloon drop with prizes including certificates offering free desserts, appetizers, and entrees into the crowd at 9 p.m. Newport Beach: 2632 San Miguel Road, 949.720.0980; Irvine: 13792 Jamboree Road, 714.505.6080. tacorosa.com
A Restaurant
May 4-6. Get in the Cinco de Mayo spirit this weekend with a special limited-edition menu of signature dishes inspired by Mexico using the finest locally sourced ingredients, courtesy of corporate executive chef Jonathan Blackford. Menu highlights include lobster and chorizo sopa, rabbit tamale verde, lamb shank barbacoa and pork rib Colorado. F 4-11 p.m.; Sa 5-11 p.m.; Su 5-10 p.m. 3334 W. Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, 949.650.6505. arestaurantnb.com
Flemings Steakhouse
May 4-6. Treat yourself to the steakhouse’s $100 Prime Margarita handcrafted with premium liquors, including Tequila Herradura Selección Suprema and Grand Marnier Centenaire. Served in Baccarat’s uniquely designed Diamant Highball, guests can take home the glass in Baccarat’s iconic red box at the end of the night. Fashion Island, 455 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach, 949.720.9633. flemingssteakhouse.com
La Habra Citrus Fair
May 4-6. Bring the family to the annual citrus fair for a weekend packed with carnival rides, fair-style food, live entertainment and the famous Bubble Parade. The fair also includes a livestock auction and youth expo, arts and crafts vendors and entertainment especially chosen in honor of Cinco de Mayo. Discounted ride tickets are available for pre-purchase online. See website for full schedule and venues. Free, $3-$6 per ride. 321 E. La Habra Blvd., between Cypress and Euclid Streets, La Habra, 562.697.1704. citrusfair.com
Back Bay Bistro Cinco de Mayo Brunch
May 5. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a gourmet brunch buffet featuring a selection of Mexico-inspired dishes, in addition to the classic Saturday brunch offerings. Choose from a special menu of signature margaritas like Casa Noble Blanco and Herradura Aneja while enjoying the picturesque waterfront atmosphere. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. $28 adults, $5 extra for bottomless champagne and mimosas, $10 extra for a Blood Mary carafe; $13 children 12 and under. Back Bay Bistro, 1131 Back Bay Dr., Newport Beach, 949.729.1144. newportdunes.com/bistro
Cinco de Mayo Fiesta at Max Berg Plaza Park
May 5. Bring the family out to celebrate Mexican culture in the Spanish Village by the Sea. Expect live entertainment featuring traditional Mariachis and Ballet Folklorico to cumbias, Tex Mex and salsa dancers. Community groups will be serving up authentic Mexican food fare and other activities will include a juried art contest, carnival game booths and a vendor area. 2-6 p.m. Max Berg Plaza Park, 1100 Calle Puente, San Clemente, 949.361.8264. san-clemente.org
Cinco de Mayo Yacht Day and Night Party
May 5. Sail through Cinco de Mayo with specialty margaritas, authentic street tacos, beats of top 40 music and Salsa/Latin hits and dancing on a luxury yacht in Newport Harbor. Tickets include two specialty margaritas, unlimited taco bar and more. 21+. 1-4 p.m. and 6:30-10 p.m. $65. Royal Princess Yacht, 2901 W. Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, 714.485.6543. annualyachtparties.com
Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen
May 5. Savor Latin-inspired lobster tacos and all-day drink specials this holiday. These specials include half-off all premium agave tequila shots, $15 grand classic margaritas and $10 beer and tequila shots. While indulging in fare and libations, enjoy live Latin music and traditional Folklorico dance performances. 11:30 a.m. Brea: 110 W. Birch St., 714.255.1040; Irvine: 13126 Jamboree Road, 714.408.7819. chachaslatinkitchen.com
El Torito
May 5. Enjoy margaritas featuring the 1800 Premium Reposado along with beer and shot specials, plus a taco station in the cantina. Some locations will have DJs and live music. 2 p.m. Brea: 555 Pointe Dr., 714.990.2411; Irvine: 18512 MacArthur Blvd., 949.833.8230. etgrill.com
Fuego
May 5. Long Beach is bringing the Latin heat with a Cinco De Maya holiday twist. Entertainment and eats for the day include a live mariachi band, street taco stations, elote callejero station, specialty margaritas, live Latin music and a piñata competition complete with prizes, gift cards and candy. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Fuego at Hotel Maya, 700 Queensway Dr., Long Beach, 562.435.7676. hotelmayalongbeach.com
Gabbi’s Mexican Kitchen
May 5. Grab a table at Gabbi’s Mexican Kitchen in Old Towne Orange for an upscale celebration. Start with a classic margarita made with 100 percent blue agave Agavales Reposado tequila, triple sec and housemade sweet and sour; or a jalapeño pepino margarita made with Corralejo blanco tequila, cucumber, jalapeno, lime, agave and Hawaiian red sea salt. Pair your margarita with camarones tacos made with shrimp, chile arbol, cheese, cabbage, pico de gallo and jalapeño crema; or asada tacos with grilled peppers, red onion, cheese and chimichurri sauce. 141 S. Glassell St., Orange, 714.633.3038. gabbipatrick.com
JT Schmid’s Restaurant & Brewery
May 5. Bring your friends to JT Schmid’s to munch on Mahi tacos, filet tacos and nachos nirvana this holiday. Handcrafted margaritas round out the holiday offerings. The District at Tustin Legacy, 2415 Park Ave., Tustin, 714.258.0333. jtschmidsrestaurants.com
Loco Brews, Loco Grooves
May 5. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with House of Blues Anaheim’s ultimate craft beer, food and music festival. The fiesta will feature craft beer samplings from 25 local breweries, 20 bands and culinary creations from executive chef Jeremy Cantwell. Food stations to look forward to are arroz con leche, bacon dogs and nachos, carnitas fries, churro bites, loaded jalapeño poppers, quesadillas, street corn, street tacos and tamales. VIP 2-9 p.m., GA 3-9 p.m. $12 GA; $15 wristbands; $60 VIP for only ages 21+. Anaheim GardenWalk, 400 W. Disney Way, Suite 337, Anaheim, 714.778.2583. houseofblues.com
Outlets at San Clemente Fiesta de Mayo Celebration
May 5. Head to the Outlets at San Clemente for an afternoon fiesta featuring local Mariachis, Ballet Folklorico and beer and wine tastings for the adults. Additional family-friendly activities include balloon artists, face painters and a chance to win a $500 shopping spree. 1-3 p.m. Free. Outlets at San Clemente, Oak Tree Court, 101 W. Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente, 949.535.2323. outletsatsanclemente.com
Puesto
May 5. Stop by Puesto to try a new take on their signature “Puesto Perfect” margarita, which will be on special at $12 per margarita or $50 per pitcher. If tequila isn’t your thing, try the beer-based cocktail “El Rey del Patio” featuring cucumbers, tomatillos, jalapenos and fresh squeezed lime juice. All of Puesto’s signature tacos such as chicken al pastor, filet mignon and baja fish, will be available, complete with vegetarian and gluten-free options. Los Olivos Irvine, 8577 Irvine Center Dr., Irvine, 949.608.9990; Park Place Irvine, 3311 Michelson Dr., Irvine, 949.608.7272. eatpuesto.com
Rancho Days Fiesta
May 5. Travel back in time to explore O.C.’s rancho era with activities, music and along with Native American and Folklorico dancing at Heritage Hill Historic Park. Expect piñata breaking, butter churning and candle dipping, plus Charro horse riding and roping demonstrations. Historic buildings including the Serrano Adobe, El Toro Grammar School, the Harvey Bennett Ranch and St. George’s Episcopal Mission will be open and available for tours. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. $5 GA; free for children under 3; free parking. 25151 Serrano Road, Lake Forest, 949.923.2230. ocgov.com
Red O
May 5. Dine at Red O during the day for lunch or come by in the evening for dinner this Cinco de Mayo. For lunch, start with corn and goat cheese tamales, move on to the short rib barbacoa torta for your entree and end with Just-Made Churros for dessert. For dinner, indulge in Mary’s duck taquitos and sip on a spiced pineapple margarita, move on to lamb in mole negro and end with tres leches for dessert. Dinner 5 p.m. 143 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach, 949.718.0300. redorestaurant.com
The Rooftop Lounge and K’ya Bistro Bar
May 5. Take in breathtaking views from The Rooftop Lounge, located at the historic Casa del Camino Hotel. The lounge will be offering Patrón margaritas for $9, signature margaritas such as the spicy Patrón margarita for $11 and the cadillac Patrón margarita and skinny Patrón margarita for $10. Enjoy popular dishes such as the huevos rancheros made with corn tortillas, eggs, beans, cheddar and jack blend and topped with avocado and ranchero salsa. For guests looking to enjoy Mediterranean flavors but still want to enjoy a margarita, K’ya Bistro will also be offering the same margarita specials as the lounge. Both at La Casa del Camino, 1289 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 949.497.2446. rooftoplagunabeach.com kyabistro.com
Social
May 5. Cheers to Cinco de Mayo with a special crafted margarita and delectable food menu. Start with the Black Magic Woman margarita made with Bruxo #1 mezcal, pineapple, Fresno chile, ancho Reyes and lime; or Don’t Be a Pasilla margarita made with Bruxo mezcal, Milagro tequila, blood orange, pasilla and arbol syrup and lime. Pair either margarita with carnitas, octopus or wagyu steak tacos. 512 W. 19th St., Costa Mesa, 949.642.2425. socialcostamesa.com
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